About Jacques Cantrelle, SR.

1777 census with Cantrelle at Cabanocey, St James, La. Jacques Cantrelle former Captain of the area age 80 Marguerite de Larmuzieaux, wife age 65 Michel Cantrelle son age 27 lieutenant Commander Jacques Cantrelle, son age 25 second lieutenant commander of area Marie Cantrelle, widow Verret age 44 husband a former commander Nicholas Verret above son age 26. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CANTRELLE, Jacques, planter, administrator. Born, Picardy, France, 1697; son of Claude Cantrelle and Marguerite Turpin Cantrelle. Arrived in Louisiana May 20, 1720, on Profond. Married (1) Marie Francienne Minquetz, killed in Natchez Indian massacre 1729; no children. Married (2) Marie Marguerite Larmurian. Children: Marie-Marguerite (b. 1733), Marianne (b. 1734), Marie-Jeanne (b. 1736), Jean-Baptiste (b. 1744), Jacques (b. 1746-died young), Michel Bernard (bapt. 1750), Jacques II (b. 1752). Settled at the Arkansas Post (on the Missisisppi, 1722), then at Fort Rosalie (Natchez). In 1740 was in New Orleans serving as notary, an employee of the Superior Council. In 1766, Cantrelle signed a petition with other businessmen to protect business interests in Louisiana at New Orleans but also was in the process of moving to Cabanocey. There he developed an indigo plantation and was commander of the post during French regime. Helped to settle the Acadians, received the first Spanish officials, originated a landed dynasty, built a church and presided over the post. Since Cantrelle gave part of his original land grant for use as a church site, he was laid to rest beneath the altar of the first church (St. Jacques de Cabahannocer or Cantrelle Church). Died, January 8, 1778; parish named for the saint whose name he bore. P.D.B. Sources: Estelle M. Fortier Cochran, The Fortier Family and Allied Families (1963); Lillian C. Bourgeois, Cabanocey: The History and Folklore of St. James Parish (1957); Donald J. Hebert, comp., Southwest Louisiana Records and South Louisiana Records.

-------------------- Fact 1

Settler of Colonial Days in LA

Fact 2

Civic leader and benefactor of St James Church which was named in his honor